Chapter 948: A Precious Gift

Editor: Dragon Boat Translation

At this moment, Huangfu Jingzhang’s expression turned dark. When he glanced at Huangfu Ruiling, his eyes were ablaze with fury. If it weren’t for Huangfu Ruiling’s status, he might have started cursing by now.

Under the scrutiny of everyone, Ye Leng’an shook her head. “Let’s discuss this after dinner.”

Soon, the group arrived at the dining hall.

It was already dinner time, and the kitchen had prepared the meal, waiting only for the master’s command to start serving

Everyone had gathered here to celebrate Huangfu Jingzhang’s birthday. Naturally, they had all brought gifts for the occasion, including Zhongyu Lingshan, who had joined them at the last minute.

Among the gifts, Zhongyu Lingshan’s stood out the most. It was a medicinal pill. Although it appeared unremarkable, after Zhongyu Lingshan’s explanation, everyone looked at the pill with eager eyes.

It was a Longevity Pill, capable of extending one’s lifespan by ten years with just one dose. However, there was a limit. Each person could only take three Longevity Pills in their lifetime. Any more would be ineffective.

No one would refuse the gift of extended life, especially those present, who were accustomed to luxury. They desired not just ten more years but even a hundred, a thousand, or eternal life!

Huangfu Jingzhang eagerly accepted the Longevity Pill from Zhongyu Lingshan, though he expressed humility. Despite his words of modesty, his tight grip on the box revealed his reluctance to part with it.

As someone from the mortal world, Huangfu Jingzhang wasn’t sure if the people of the cultivation world valued ten more years of life. However, as an ordinary person, he welcomed the gift wholeheartedly. Living to a hundred was no easy feat nowadays, and an extra decade was the best gift he could imagine.

Seeing Huangfu Jingzhang’s insincere gratitude, Zhongyu Lingshan couldn’t help but feel a trace of disdain. It seemed the people of the mortal world were short-sighted indeed. Nevertheless, she maintained her composure and replied, “Uncle, you’re too kind. It’s just a modest gift, but I’m glad you like it.”

“I do, truly,” Huangfu Jingzhang replied warmly. “Thank you, Miss Zhongyu.”

Turning to Ye Leng’an, Zhongyu Lingshan teased, “Miss Ye, what’s your gift for Mr. Huangfu?”

Ye Leng’an shrugged, speaking indifferently, “I gave it together with Ruiling. Didn’t you see it just now? It’s just a piece of jade!”

Huangfu Ruiling gave a whole piece of raw jade stone, which had not been carved yet. Later, Huangfu Jingzhang could make a decision based on his preference.

Originally, his gift could be said to be the best. However, it still couldn’t compare to Zhongyu Lingshan’s medicinal pill.

“Don’t you plan to give out something separately?”

As if provoking her, Zhongyu Lingshan spoke with a hint of meaning, “Miss Ye, no matter what, you’re not married yet. As an independent woman, shouldn’t you give out a gift yourself?”

Ye Leng’an smiled and responded, “We’re a pair. Miss Zhongyu may find it hard to understand our ways since you are still single. But when you meet the right person, you’ll understand.”

Huangfu Ruiling’s face lit up with a rare smile, especially at Ye Leng’an’s words about them being a pair. His affectionate expression conveyed his happiness.

Zhongyu Lingshan’s provocation faltered at Huangfu Ruiling’s smile, and her mood turned colder.

Suppressing her resentment, she gritted her teeth and said, “Is that so? I didn’t think much about it. I just felt it was appropriate to give a gift today as a token of appreciation.”

Huangfu Jingzhang intervened. “Miss Zhongyu, your gift is undoubtedly the best today. As for those irrelevant individuals, I couldn’t care less if they give gifts or not.”

Everyone knew whom he referred to as irrelevant.

Despite Huangfu Jingzhang’s veiled sarcasm, Ye Leng’an’s expression remained unchanged. It was as if she wasn’t the subject of his words

However, she wondered what Zhongyu Lingshan had to be proud of.

The Longevity Pill wasn’t rare in the Hidden World. What reason did Zhongyu Lingshan have to be proud of? Holding onto such an item and flaunting it here was only because Huangfu Jingzhang wasn’t from the Hidden World.

Cultivators were the same. The higher their cultivation, the longer their lifespan. Some, nearing the end of their lives, would use Longevity Pills to buy time for breakthroughs and more opportunities. But fate dictated that one could only take one Longevity Pill in their lifetime. Any more would be useless.

Such pills weren’t considered particularly valuable in the Hidden World. They were routinely refined by alchemists of ordinary families due to their simplicity. Though available in the Hidden World’s shops, they weren’t cheap.

Zhongyu Lingshan, being from the Zhongyu family’s direct line, could easily obtain Longevity Pills.

Despite knowing this, Ye Leng’an saw no reason to mention it as it didn’t concern her.

As for Huangfu Jingzhang’s opinion, she cared even less.

Huangfu Jingzhang observed Ye Leng’an’s demeanor, growing increasingly furious. Everyone understood whom he was addressing, yet Ye Leng’an, the person in question, behaved as if it were someone else.